Monday, September 17, 2012

Special prosecutor needed after murder of Hearne civil rights activist

Charles Workman, a Baptist minister, former city council member, and civil rights advocate in Hearne, Texas, was mysteriously murdered last week. According to news reports he was shot in the head and his car was found set on fire. Among local legal observers, fears have arisen that the Robertson County District Attorney, John Paschall, won't aggressively pursue the case because Workman had become an influential nemesis of the long-time DA in the aftermath of the infamous Hearne drug stings, which contributed to the ultimate de-funding of Texas system of narcotics task forces statewide, including one led by Paschall. (At the time the episode occurred, Paschall had "final authority for the policies, practices and/or customs of the Task Force," according to the lawsuit [pdf] filed by the ACLU Drug Policy Litigation project, which the county eventually settled.)

The drug sting in Hearne made national headlines, contributed to passage of multiple pieces of state legislation, and was depicted in a feature film, American Violet, directed by Tim Disney. Workman was among the most active Hearne family members fighting both to free those accused by confidential informant Derrick Megress and to get the state to regulate (and eventually abolish) Texas' network of regional narcotics task forces. A 2005 Texas Observer story recounted that, "Charles Workman understands the dynamic of Hearne-style justice as well as anyone.
Paschall has a vendetta against his family, he believes, as his stepson and
nephew were both arrested in the sting." Paschall tried, and failed, to prosecute Workman on voter-fraud charges soon after the Hearne case ended.

Making matters even more worrisome, Paschall has been accused by a former Hearne police sergeant of interfering with local law enforcement in another murder - that of a man named Hank Johnson, in which Paschall's brother in law was a key suspect. See local TV coverage of that case, including a recording made by the detective in charge accusing Paschall of interfering with the investigation, to which Paschall responded by threatening him.

I haven't seen Charles since 2005 - when we worked together to pass a statute regulating Texas' regional narcotics task forces - and certainly have no knowledge of the circumstances surrounding his death But I don't trust John Paschall to disinterestedly prosecute, nor to avoid interfering with the investigation. Grits would feel much more comfortable if a special prosecutor were appointed in any criminal proceedings that arise from Workman's death and Paschall stayed completely out of the matter.

Charles Workman's funeral was on Saturday and regrettably I couldn't attend, but Grits extends sincere condolences to his family and friends. From our interactions over about a five year span following the sting in Hearne, I always found him to be a good and honorable man. May he rest in peace.

7:26, I'm not overlooking the person who did it, I fear Paschall's beef with Workman will keep that person from being caught and prosecuted. Check out the story about his interference with the Hank Johnson murder investigation - be sure to watch the TV news clip all the way to the end - and perhaps you'll understand why.

To paraphrase commenter Philip Baker, small town Texas is creepy. This place is straight out of the film Roadhouse. "Let's see boss, we got motive, shouldn't be too hard to track down the murderer". Except that the motive points to the LAW! Texas criminal justice is the laughing stock of the world, Hollywood puts out cheeky films mocking our corruption, and the "tough" people of Texas just bend over. This should be a good one, where's my popcorn!

Worked up? Are you kidding? A black, civil rights activist has been murdered in the town that re-elected John Paschall. It's past time to get worked up. It's time to call the Justice Department. Paschall will handle it....? This is an outrage. There will be no justice in Hearne under that DA.

As someone who grew up in Hearne, it saddens me to see the state of this town. There is still a distinct divide between the 'white' and 'black' sides of town. The cemeteries are still segregated. We can't even rest in peace after death. The things that go on in Hearne would never pass anywhere else. It is time to DEMAND a change.

I agree anon from Hearne. I plan on doing everything I can to get him out. He actually has someone running against him this year. People are afraid of paschall. It is long past time for him to go. BTW I actually am doing more than voting against him. I am going to do my damndest to expose him.

I recommend reading the article on the murder of Hank Johnson (posted above by Grits). The primary suspect was Paschall's bro-in-law followed by coverups and the resignation of the investigator who dared cross Paschall. What does it take to get an objective, thorough investigation of this DA? Texas is creepy. And it's the State Government's lack of interest that perpetuate's unlawful activity by law enforcement. Does anyone care? Where's the coverage? Someone call the Civil Rights Division of the Federal Government!

Well Paschell is out of office but how much has been solved? The city of Hearne has always been corrupt from the city Managers to City Secretaries and officers of law. Nothing has changed! They run over citizens, intimidate women, take easements without asking, and as much as they can to terrorize the people of the town. Funny how the Mayor's family all new about business possibilities and bought into commercial properties before hand or have you noticed how much everyone's electric bills have gone up? The entire city needs to be investgated!

well, I just watched American Violet & wanted to get the real story. So disappointed to read this news following watching the film. However, I am not really that surprised. I am from Texas and it is pretty rampant with racism. I would hope that in 2013 that it wasn't but, sadly it is. The FED should wipe that whole administration down there out. Totally disgusting that it continues to live on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is true! It happens all the time and continues to happen. I can vouch for it because I am one property owner that is fighting over an easement the city cut across my land. Now, they are trying to intimidate us. I hired an attorney and we will see. This town is as crooked and dirty as any small town can get.

John Paschall was just indicted and arrested with a 30,000 dollar bond for the theft of an old lady. Not the first time he was indicted. maybe he will be disbarred this time. And then indicted for the cover up of my son's murder Hank Alan Johnson. Just google it. Paschall's mug shot on KBTX.

John Paschall was just indicted and arrested with a 30,000 dollar bond for the theft of an old lady. Not the first time he was indicted. maybe he will be disbarred this time. And then indicted for the cover up of my son's murder Hank Alan Johnson. Just google it. Paschall's mug shot on KBTX.

"I always tell people interested in these issues that your blog is the most important news source, and have had high-ranking corrections officials tell me they read it regularly."

- Scott Medlock, Texas Civil Rights Project

"a helluva blog"

- Solomon Moore, NY Times criminal justice correspondent

"Congrats on building one of the most read and important blogs on a specific policy area that I've ever seen"

- Donald Lee, Texas Conference of Urban Counties

GFB "is a fact-packed, trustworthy reporter of the weirdness that makes up corrections and criminal law in the Lone Star State" and has "shown more naked emperors than Hans Christian Andersen ever did."

-Attorney Bob Mabry, Conroe

"Grits really shows the potential of a single-state focused criminal law blog"

- Corey Yung, Sex Crimes Blog

"I regard Grits for Breakfast as one of the most welcome and helpful vehicles we elected officials have for understanding the problems and their solutions."

Tommy Adkisson,Bexar County Commissioner

"dude really has a pragmatic approach to crime fighting, almost like he’s some kind of statistics superhero"

- Rob Patterson, The Austin Post"Scott Henson's 'Grits for Breakfast' is one of the most insightful blogs on criminal justice issues in Texas."

- Texas Public Policy Foundation

"Nobody does it better or works harder getting it right"

David Jennings, aka "Big Jolly"

"I appreciate the fact that you obviously try to see both sides of an issue, regardless of which side you end up supporting."

Kim Vickers,Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and EducationGrits for Breakfast "has probably broken more criminal justice stories than any TX reporter, but stays under the radar. Fascinating guy."

Maurice Chammah,The Marshall Project"unrestrained and uneducated"

John Bradley,Former Williamson County District Attorney, now former Attorney General of Palau

"our favorite blog"

- Texas District and County Attorneys Association Twitter feed"Scott Henson ... writes his terrific blog Grits for Breakfast from an outhouse in Texas."